17 March 2025
Space42 and Viasat have announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the development of a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) ecosystem aimed at facilitating direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services. This collaboration represents a significant step towards leveraging satellite technology to enhance connectivity and communication capabilities across various sectors.
The initial phase of the partnership will focus on partner-funded technical and commercial studies to create a multi-tenant, multi-orbit 5G NTN infrastructure. This infrastructure is expected to adhere to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards while using an open architecture. It will be capable of supporting L-band, S-band, and terrestrial spectrum, facilitating global roaming between regional network operators.
Both Space42 and Viasat will also investigate new technologies and sustainable system designs to improve the efficiency of satellite networks, ensuring their alignment with current and emerging 5G models. The collaboration aims to comply with the telecommunications regulatory frameworks of various countries worldwide, enhancing the feasibility of their initiatives.
Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42, said that a primary objective of the partnership is to establish a scalable open architecture space system. This system aims to foster global collaboration among public and private sector partners while tapping into substantial growth opportunities in the satellite market, with a particular focus on D2D communications and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT).
